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Portland Tuba Christmas 2013
This was Ruairi’s first year playing his tuba at the annual Portland Tuba Christmas concert. Tuba Christmas is an event that takes place in over 350 cities around the world each year. It is open to anyone who plays a tuba (or member of the tuba family). This year in Portland there were 300 (yes, that’s three HUNDRED) tuba players who gathered for a morning rehearsal & afternoon concert in Pioneer Courthouse Square. There is nothing else in the world that sounds like 300 tubas playing Christmas carols in 4-part harmony!
The players ranged in age from 10 to 78, and they played tubas, sousaphones, baritones, euphoniums, and other variations of tubas. Ruairi (playing a 3/4 size concert tuba) and his friend Ryan (playing a euphonium) had a wonderful time!
This arrangement of “Jingle Bells” was written especially for tubas (there’s a musical surprise in the middle!). I’m sorry the video quality is not so good, but hopefully you can make out the row of 24+ sousaphone players standing at the back of the group. Here’s a link to the video:
Sushi Dinner at Home
Erin decided that she wanted to learn to make sushi — here she is preparing the rice (with Ruairi working the fan).

Fanning the rice

Ready to eat

The sushi chef and her assistant
The results were delicious!
The Mermaid Bench
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"Two Mermaids", just arrived at the Venetian in Hillsboro where they will be on display until the auction
Here is a picture of one of my latest projects. Sequoia Gallery + Studios is having a fundraising auction and the artists are decorating used tables and chairs to be auctioned off. The tables and chairs are supposed to be examples of recycling and reusing. I found a fabulous pair of mannequin torsos at the Goodwill, along with an old cast iron table base. I designed, painted and assembled “Two Mermaids”. Barry made the wooden bench top. Two of my artist friends, Paula & Kathleen, created the tail cushion and the jewelry. This was a really fun project! I hope that it sells for a good price at the auction.
Mom’s First Post
Here are some photos I took with my new camera.

This is Gwen, our youngest dog.

Erin is a Willamette University cheerleader!

This is Magic, age 23, taking a nap.